Des Moines University » Brian Dixhttp://www.dmu.edu
Iowa medical schoolTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:38:54 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Yoho, Vardaxis develop a collaborative effort in researchhttp://www.dmu.edu/dose/2013/01/yoho-vardaxis-develop-a-collaborative-effort-in-research/
http://www.dmu.edu/dose/2013/01/yoho-vardaxis-develop-a-collaborative-effort-in-research/#commentsTue, 22 Jan 2013 15:14:44 +0000http://www.dmu.edu/?p=25699Tim Yoho, D.P.M., FACFAS, dean of the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and Vassilios Vardaxis, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy, worked with former CPMS graduates, current students and staff to publish studies in recent issues of three podiatric professional peer-reviewed journals:

“Undergraduate GPAs, MCAT scores and academic performance the first two years in podiatric medical school at Des Moines University,” authored by Drs. Kosta Antonopoulos (D.P.M. ’10), Tim Yoho and Vassilios Vardaxis was published in the November/December 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

“The association of metatarsus adductus to the proximal fifth metatarsal Jones fracture,” authored by Dr. Brian Dix ( D.P.M. ’11), Scott Carrington (D.P.M. ’13) and Drs. Yoho and Vardaxis appeared in the November/December 2012 issue of the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

“A biomechanical analysis of the effects of low-Dye taping on arch deformation,” authored by Drs. Robert Renschler (D.P.M. ’12), Jeff Dikis (D.P.M. ’12), Yoho, Vardaxis and Julian Rivera was published in the November/December issue of The Foot.

In addition to his faculty appointment in the physical therapy program, Dr. Vardaxis also serves as the CPMS Director of Research. He and Yoho teamed up for five podiatric peer-review publications in 2012.

DMU dominates West Penn’s podiatric residency. Graduates in the program and CPMS students recently on rotation there include, from left, Colin Zdenek, John Erickson and Kyle Moore, members of the CPMS Class of 2013; Class of 2012 members Erica Evans, John Baca and Tee Adeleke; Phil Richardson, D.P.M.’11; Kyle Peterson, D.P.M.’10; Matthew Hentges, D.P.M.’11; Brian Dix, D.P.M.’11; Peter Stasko, D.P.M.’09; and Jared Maker, D.P.M.’10. True to the camaraderie among West Penn residents, the group had gathered for a picnic.

Among the foot and ankle surgical residents at West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) in Pennsylvania, it would be no surprise to spot some DMU purple. That’s because currently eight of those 10 residents are graduates of DMU’s College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS).

In addition, three DMU podiatric medical students recently were on rotation there.

“It’s a credit to your school that we have quite a few kids from DMU,” says Alan Catanzariti, D.P.M., FACFAS, ABPS, ABPOPPM, director of the residency program. “That’s not by intention; we take the best people.”

The CPMS graduates share the feeling. Many say the residency was their first choice, for multiple reasons.

“The moment I stepped into the hospital, I felt like I was part of a family which cares about you not only as a doctor in training but as a person,” says Brian Dix, D.P.M.’11. “The balance between surgery and clinic was crucial…The amazing rearfoot and ankle surgery being taught by Dr. Catanzariti, among others, is among the best in the profession.”

In addition to the bonds among physicians and residents at West Penn, alumni of the residency program form a “fraternity,” says Michael Lee, D.P.M.’96, M.H.A., FACFAS, who practices with Capital Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in central Iowa. A WPAHS resident from 1996 to 1999, he has since recommended other CPMS graduates for the program.

“It has a reputation for being a tough program and also has strong alumni connections – West Penn [residency] graduates know other West Penn grads,” he says. “It opens doors for people down the road. That’s pretty unique among programs.”

Lee adds that the program prepares residents not only to be excellent physicians and surgeons but also leaders in the profession. Lee himself is past president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

That leadership training was underscored for Kyle Peterson, D.P.M.’10, WPAHS chief resident. At this year’s ACFAS scientific conference, he met several WPAHS residency alumni, who hold an annual reunion during the event. “I had heard their names a lot,” he says. “This residency puts you on a path to leadership roles.”

The CPMS graduates say they feel ready for those roles and the residency’s rigor. Despite moments when “you feel like a student all over again,” Tee Adeleke, D.P.M.’12, says he and his fellow CPMS alumni were well prepared by DMU.

“All the credit for my getting this residency goes to the DMU faculty,” he says. “I can’t say enough about them. They molded me into the student I was and the doctor I hope to become.”